The way Eric Kennedy looks at it, there’s nowhere to go bu up. Last year was his first as a head coach and even though he was previously at the school as defensive coordinator, there was a lot to learn.

Just having been in the job a year puts him ahead of where his team was at this time last year. He also has something he didn’t a year ago – a lot of returning starters,

The Cavaliers will be looking to improved a 1-9 showing last year that included an 0-5 finish in Mt. Baldy League play. Like most coaches this time of year, Kennedy is optimistic.

“We had very few players with any varsity experience last year so we really were starting from scratch,” he said. “We’re in the opposite position this year so hopefully that will pay off.”

Leading the charge will be junior quarterback Gabriel Tamba, who saw some time at that position last year. The entire offensive line is back too with that unit led by seniors Diego Sanchez and Lauro Zapata.

Kennedy expects to use a stable of running backs rather than rely on one. Among those who could factor in there are juniors Jorge Reboseno and Denzel Knox. Weapons in the passing game include junior tight end Evan Richardson and sophomore newcomer Devin Amphone.

“We really don’t have that one dominant guy but we will have some balance,” Kennedy said. “I think that will work to our favor.”:

Senior linebacker Juan Chagolla, who had 66 tackles last year a a junior, heads the defense. Some of the key players on offense will help too, including Sanchez at nose tackle and Knox at corner.

The season gets underway Aug. 25 with the Cavaliers taking on San Gabriel, the lone team it defeated last year. Kennedy hedged when asked what he would call a successful season.

“I hate to put a number on wins and losses,” he said. “I just want to see us be more competitive in every game and hopefully that will mean a few more wins.”

MONTCLAIR SCHEDULE
Aug 25 – At San Gabriel
Sept. 1 – St. Pius X-Matthias Academy
Sept. 14 – vs. Covina (at Covina District Field)
Sept. 22 – At Ganesha
Sept. 29 – Patriot
Oct. 6 – Don Lugo
Oct. 13 – At Ontario
Oct. 20 – Colony
Oct. 27 – Alta Loma
Nov. 3 – at Chaffey

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New Montclair High School football coach Eric Kennedy has his work cut out for him – and he knows it.

The school’s football program has forever suffered because of lack of a feeder program.

He had been on the coaching staff of previous coach T.J. Fiorenza as defensive coordinator. But by the time he was formally appointed head coach, several of the school’s marquee players had jumped ship and bolted for other schools. Among those junior Roy Wiley, named the Bulletin’s Newcomer of the Year last fall.

The Cavaliers, 4-6 overall and 0-5 in league play a year ago, head into a new season with a lot of unknown players expected to contribute.

Instead of focusing on what he doesn’t have, Kennedy chooses to focus on the positive.

“We have a great group of kids and they have come in here every day with a good attitude and they have worked hard,” he said. “We’re really going to build on that.”

Kennedy does have some quality help on his coaching staff which includes two assistants that were head coaches last year – Luis Garcia (Don Lugo) who will serve as offensive coordinator and Randy Reams (Ayala) who will coach running backs and coordinate the passing game.

Fiorenza has stayed on too and will direct the freshman team.

Kennedy will be banking on his team’s balance at each position, with no dominant player. Returning starters asked to shoulder a big load this season will include senior linebacker Jason Le, junior nose tackle-offensive lineman Diego Sanchez, senior corner-receiver Jesse Ramiez, senior defensive end Gonzalo Pelayo, senior free safety Eddy Lugo and senior running back Matthew Mendibles.

Among the newcomers is sophomore quarterback Gabriel Tamba, the starter on the freshman team last year.

Other promising newcomers include sophomore tight end-defensive end Evan Richardson and senior receiver Andres Nunez.

The good news is that other than front-runner Colony, there appears to be balance in the Mt. Baldy League with most of the other teams also losing their top players.

Montclair opens the season on Aug. 26 against San Gabriel, a team it defeated 36-0 in its first game last year. The first league game will be Oct. 7 against Ontario.

When it came to the CIF’s new football division alignment, the Cavaliers were put into Division 12 which also includes Ontario. Kennedy thinks its the perfect place for his school.

“We’re in with schools comparable to us as far as resources, socio-economic background, participation, school enrollment,” he said. “It really puts us on a level playing field and I think we can compete should we make the playoffs.”

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